Remaining Clean

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

If we add a pint of dirt to a basin of water, the water will become dirty no matter how clear the water was to begin with. This is a good lesson for us to remember. Too many Christians think they can let filth into their lives and still remain clean. It doesn't work that way.

Keep thy tongue from evil and they lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34: 13-14).

It's better for us to keep unclean things from our lives, at least as much as we can and still go where God leads. The more we involve ourselves in television, movies, music, electronic games, books, etc. with sexual content, extreme violence, or profanity, the more those things become acceptable to us. Little by little such choices wear away our values and standards without our realizing it. It all comes down to the choices we make. Look at American society today. Can you see it happening? Has it already happened to some extent?

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand,... Finally, brethern,  whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure...think on these things. (Philippians 4:5 & 8).

But we shouldn't fall into the trap of judging others on the issue. If we each take care of our own household, that will give us enough to do. Neither should we become legalistic or obsessed with the issue. But we should be directed by the Holy Spirit and make choices that are pleasing to Christ. Let's choose to keep our values in line with God's plan and stay clean for Him.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but into holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:11).

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